April 27, 2003, Untethered Flight with Pilot

The Wright Redux Association

A State of Illinois Not-For-Profit Association
IRS 501 (c) (3) Tax Exempt
December 17, 1903
Contact:Penny Rusch 630-577-1934

"Spirit of Glen Ellyn" 1903 Wright Flyer Replica, Takes to the Air!

Wright Redux Association Airplane Achieves First Flight of 136 Feet

Glen Ellyn, IL., April 28, 2003 - The Wright Redux Association's 1903 Wright Flyer replica "Spirit of Glen Ellyn" went airborne yesterday at Clow International Airport in Bolingbrook, IL, flying 136 feet from the end of the launch rail. At 4:45 PM, pilot Ken Kirincic throttled the plane's engine and launched himself and Wright Redux into history becoming the first 1903 Wright Flyer replica to achieve free, powered flight.

“The conditions were perfect," said pilot Kirincic of Glen Ellyn. “I knew when we released the machine into the 15 mph southerly wind and felt it gain a lot of speed going down the launch rail that we had a good chance to get the ‘Spirit of Glen Ellyn’ off the ground. The plane took to the air beautifully and I managed to land it without any damage."

"The conditions were perfect," said pilot Kirincic of Glen Ellyn. "I knew when we released the machine into the 15 mph southerly wind and felt it gain a lot of speed going down the launch rail that we had a good chance to get the 'Spirit of Glen Ellyn' off the ground. The plane took to the air beautifully and I managed to land it without any damage."

“It’s hard to describe what yesterday’s flight means to this group," said Co-President, Mark Miller. “All the work and all the planning came down to one moment. It just came together unbelievably well. I can’t say enough about this group of people. Sunday’s result just goes to show you what determination, persistence, and today, a little bit of luck can lead to. I am mighty proud to be part of this effort and continue to be awed by what Orville and Wilbur Wright accomplished 100 years ago."

Ted Craft, Wright Redux Co-President pointed out, "Yesterday was the culmination of a lot difficult, but it appears correct decisions made by this group. So much of what we did had no plan. Chasing the solutions to the multitude of problems we faced was at times hard. There were moments when I wondered how the Wright Brothers accomplished what they did. But after watching our plane fly yesterday, I am extremely pleased with everything we decided to build into our plane. The wing solution; the propeller solution; the gearing solution.all proved to be correct and the 'Spirit of Glen Ellyn' performed remarkably well."

"We damaged the plane on Saturday and again on Sunday during our tow tests and overcame both of these to go on and fly the 'Spirit of Glen Ellyn' on Sunday afternoon," said Mike Perry, Secretary/Treasurer of Wright Redux. "This Wright Redux team never gives up. We repaired the machine after the last crack up and what you saw Sunday afternoon was the result of pure determination. I believe the spirit of Wright Redux is similar to the attitude the Wrights demonstrated 100 years ago."

Packer Engineering was instrumental in the success of this accomplishment. Their aeronautical engineering expertise was critical to achieving FAA certification of the "Spirit of Glen Ellyn" as an Experimental Exhibition aircraft, the testing regimens and to the success of the first flight attempt.

"The Wright Redux team is to be commended for this flight," said Ken Packer, PhD, PE, Chief Engineer of Packer Engineering. "Our team has been in love with this project since we first got involved. We are happy to contribute our expertise to this endeavor. It is exciting to participate in recreating the accomplishments of the Wright Brothers. The next milestone is to fly again using the replica engine that our team is building for the Flyer.

The "Spirit of Glen Ellyn" will fly on the front lawn of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry (MSI), September 20-21, 2003 as the highlight of the City of Chicago's observance of the centennial of the Wrights' first flight in 1903. Following those flights, the plane will be donated to the MSI where it will be displayed as part of the museum's permanent aviation collection.

Tom Norton and Mark Miller founded the Wright Redux Association in 1999. These two Glen Ellyn men set out to build and fly an exact replica of the Wright 1903 Flyer, a feat never before accomplished. Neither Norton nor Miller is a pilot and neither had previously attempted to build a flying aircraft. As the project continued, several talented volunteers joined the Wright Redux team. Along with Ted Craft and Mike Perry, principle Wright Redux workers included: Chuck Clendenin, Turk Tilev, Jeff Knuckles, Bill and Jean Mumford, Erin Norton, and Rick Perry.

Primary financial and material sponsors of the Wright Redux Association are The Museum of Science and Industry, National Geographic, The Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Community Bank, The Glen Ellyn Jaycees, Packer Wings, NFP and the Horn Lumber Company of Chicago.